Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject this legislation in its current form. Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I was at the Ukraine Embassy last night, and when I announced to them that the rule had passed to allow this bill to go to the floor for final passage, I got a standing ovation. I got a standing ovation from the ambassador and all supporters of Ukraine. When I chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee, I often said partisanship stops at the water's edge, and I still believe that. Mr.
2026 MidtermsSolid SeatD+50Stable$1.0M raised
Gregory Meeks
Representative · New York · Democrat
Gregory Meeks
House Floor
Recent comments in the House
Mr. Speaker, I rise regrettably to oppose the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. Why? It is a magic moment. It is a moment that we need to take right now. It is a moment that we need to move forward with. Here is why I have to oppose it. Number one, this bill wasn't written by Lindsey Graham. It was written by Donald Trump and Donald Trump's attorneys. We know his attorneys did it because he doesn't know how to write himself, but they wrote this bill. {time} 0920 I say to my Ukrainian friends and to the Ukrainian people: We need to do more.
Mr. Speaker, I would just say to the gentleman that the bill we passed in the House did put sanctions on Russia. We passed a bill that put sanctions on Russia. What this bill really does--I mean, it puts tariffs on Russia and sanctions on Russia. What this bill does is put tariffs on our allies and our friends. Let's make sure in an amendment in the Rules Committee that we clarify that the EU could not be tariffed. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues said no to that. Let's just clarify and say who it is.
Biography
Gregory Meeks began his career as a civil rights attorney, advocating for underserved communities in New York. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for New York’s 5th District in 1998, he has focused on economic development, financial oversight, and international relations. As Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Meeks has shaped U.S. diplomacy and led bipartisan efforts to support global human rights. He also played a key role in securing infrastructure investments for his district. Meeks serves with a collaborative approach, emphasizing practical solutions that address both local needs and national interests.
Education
- J.D., Howard University School of Law, Washington, DC1978
- B.A. in History, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY1975
Professional History
U.S. Representative
1997-PresentRepresenting New York's 5th district
Member, New York State Assembly
1992–97Supervising Judge, New York State Workers’ Compensation Board
1985–92Deputy Counsel, New York State Investigation Commission
1983–85Assistant Specialist Narcotics Prosecutor, New York City
1981–83Assistant Attorney, Queens District Attorney’s Office
1978–83Lawyer
Policy Focus
International Affairs62%
Finance and Financial Sector12%
Congress5%
Emergency Management4%
Notable Legislation
Key legislative actions from Gregory Meeks's record in Congress.
Export-Import Bank Reauthorization
Led efforts to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, supporting U.S. exports and jobs.
Chairmanship of House Foreign Affairs Committee
Became the first African American Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in 2021.
Hurricane Sandy Recovery Funding
Secured federal funding for New York communities affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Affordable Housing Advocacy
Helped secure funding for affordable housing initiatives in Queens and New York City.
Committee Assignments
View details →- House Committee on Foreign AffairsRanking Member
- House Committee on Financial Services
Rep. Gregory Meeks FAQ
Reach New York Lawmakers
Representative Meeks focuses on International Affairs, Finance and Financial Sector and Congress. Deliver personalized constituent letters to New York's federal, state, and local officials — live in under five minutes.
Grassroots advocacy & legislator intelligence. Used by nonprofits, associations, and GR firms nationwide.
Start a Campaign